Financial services veteran and 'offshore' report author Michael Foot is to provide the keynote speech at the Guernsey Fiduciary Forum 2010 in London.
Mr Foot has nearly four decades' experience in financial services and is currently Chairman of consultants Promontory Financial Group which he joined from the Central Bank of The Bahamas, having previously been a Managing Director of the UK's Financial Services Authority (FSA).
Mr Foot authored the HM Treasury commissioned report into the British Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories that was published in late October this year.
"I am delighted that Michael Foot is able to provide the keynote speech at the Guernsey Fiduciary Forum," said Peter Niven, Chief Executive of Guernsey Finance – the promotional agency for the Island's finance industry.
"His knowledge of the industry and in particular his recent review of British overseas finance centres means that he is uniquely positioned to provide us with the inside track on the current state of health and what the future might hold for Guernsey and the wider 'offshore' industry."
Mr Foot said: "I am very pleased at having this opportunity to speak not only to Guernsey practitioners but also those in London who look towards the Island and also other 'offshore' centres as places to do business.
"The work undertaken for HM Treasury provides a road map to ensure that standards are not only maintained but enhanced within the British Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories, which have become subject to increased scrutiny. I look forward to sharing my thoughts about the future of 'offshore' and the potential impact for practitioners doing business in these centres."
The Guernsey Fiduciary Forum 2010 takes place on Thursday 25 February at the Grange St Pauls Hotel in London.
The half-day conference begins at 12.30pm and opens with the keynote speech from Mr Foot. The first session is titled 'Structured for Success' and will review the relative advantages and disadvantages of structuring various vehicles and the development of new products such as Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Schemes (QROPS). This will be followed by 'Trust in Tomorrow – What does the future hold?' which will be a panel discussion assessing the future of wealth management, particularly 'offshore', in the wake of the global financial crisis and its subsequent effects.
Mr Niven added: "It will be very interesting to hear from Michael Foot. We also have a variety of experts from both London and Guernsey who will be tackling the most pertinent issues facing fiduciary practitioners. The quality of speakers and depth of content we have lined up mean that this event will provide an early and comprehensive assessment of the offshore wealth management industry in 2010 and into the future."
To register as a delegate or learn more about sponsorship opportunities then please contact Fiona Murray at Orchard Events by telephone +44 (0) 1481 240606 or email fiona@orchardevents.com.
Mr Foot's report into the British Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories can be accessed through the following link: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/indreview_brit_offshore_fin_centres.htm
For more information about Guernsey's finance industry please visit www.guernseyfinance.com.
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